So it begins. The deluge of holiday celebrations has begun! The past couple of days have been busier than ever with work and evening holiday events taking up most of our time.

Knowing that we’ll be hosting a couple of holiday get-togethers at home as well, I thought I’d do a bit of a run through with the table set-up for this season. Since I will be doing a lot of cooking, I want the set-up bit to be quick and easy. My husband and I agreed that we’ll be doing casual get-togethers this year to keep the ambiance relaxed, easy, and fun. However, I still want a touch of elegance.

Ah, Christmas. My favourite holiday as a kid and the holiday that can seriously send me into panic as an adult. While the holidays are truly a time of fun and cheer, there’s preparation involved – from decor, to food, down to shopping and wrapping gifts. It is honestly a major production.

The holidays are coming! Being the Gemini that I am, I have to admit that I have a split personality/opinion when it comes to the holidays. I can go from grinch (cos of preparations) to little, giddy girl (cos of Christmas food) in a matter of seconds.

For today, however, let’s talk about one of the best things about the holidays – food! Christmas is definitely a holiday that brings people together and what better way to celebrate than over a great meal?

Last October, I got the fright of my life – just in time for breast cancer awareness month. I imagine it would be nicer to say that I’m only writing about it now because it took me a while to get over it. It sounds more dramatic, doesn’t it? In reality, I just didn’t have the time to do so. I’ve never been the dramatic type – well, at least in public.

I’m a serial cheese eater. Pair a great cheese plate with wine then add great company, and a cosy living room and you have a very happy Carol right there. This is the really Danish bit of my personality, I guess. (Hygge!)

So it was quite amusing how, when my husband and I decided to host one of our first dinners with friends from the diplomatic corps at home, I found myself struggling when it comes to putting together a cheese plate.

The struggles of a diplomat’s wife are quite mundane to some, I know. Failing at this won’t start a world war nor turn into a major diplomatic incident. However, to fail at something so minor may kill the perfectionist in me inside.

In fact, I was having a minor panic attack that day. Surely, I would have retained some knowledge from all the diplomatic events I attended as a journalist and later on as a wife? I knew the most popular cheeses. How they taste and their textures. But choosing was a different story and I have a tendency to overthink then just want everything in there.

That’s why today’s quick post is going to be about a makeup set – something I know will be useful to a lot of people who are into changing their look for a night of fun! It doesn’t hurt either that the name of the product kinda fits today’s holiday too. 😉

Spanish food has always had a comforting vibe with dishes that are often reminiscent of meals enjoyed with family or a group of friends. Tapas, the small appetiser plates Spain is famous for, are for sharing after all.

Spanish Chef Jose Alonso is a firm believer of keeping that tradition going – even in a formal dining setting. “Fine dining is boring. It’s too quiet and you can’t complain when you don’t like something,” he quipped to a suitably amused group of reporters.

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Disclaimers and Disclosures

This blog is personal and will always remain to be.

The views and opinions expressed in this blog are exclusively those of the author’s. They do not, in any way, represent thoughts, opinions, policies, and the direction of the Philippine government, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the media outlets I used to work for, and even that of my husband's.

Come to think of it, our opinions differ – a lot.

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